Rahul to visit Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh tribal areas

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) As part of his well-publicised swing through some of the country’s remotest and poorest areas, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will begin a four-day trip Friday to the tribal belt of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the party said Wednesday.’ He will begin his visit from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh and travel through the districts of Dindori, Hoshangabad, Mandla and Katni in Madhya Pradesh.

“Rahul Gandhi will reach Raipur on April 25 and have an informal interaction with the people of Jagdalpur,” said Ashok Tanwar, president of the Indian Youth Congress.

The Congress MP will address a panchayat meeting at Dindori Saturday evening and hold a public rally in Katni the next day. He will round up his campaign with an unscheduled trip to the more remote pockets of the tribal belt.

“Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the tribal belt is in keeping with the philosophy of the Congress and its special focus on the welfare of tribals,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

” We have seen the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government undertake some of the most innovative, creative programmes for tribals,” he added.

The 37-year-old Congress MP is visiting various states under the `Discover India’ tour, especially areas inhabited by tribals and Scheduled Castes. He has already made trips to Orissa and Karnataka.